Danielle's mother cries in court

THE mother of a 15-year-old girl allegedly abducted and murdered by her uncle yesterday wept in court as she described seeing her daughter leave the family house in her school uniform for the last time.

THE mother of a 15-year-old girl allegedly abducted and murdered by her uncle yesterday wept in court as she described seeing her daughter leave the family house in her school uniform for the last time. Linda Jones, 42, of East Tilbury, Essex, told Chelmsford Crown Court that Stuart Campbell, who denies abduction and murder, phoned the day Danielle, disappeared on June 18, 2001, and said he was sure the teenager would be home before dark.

Danielle vanished shortly after being seen walking to a bus stop.

Mrs Jones then told how teachers at Danielle's school called shortly before 3pm that day to tell her that Danielle had not attended.

She said Campbell, 44, a builder from Grays, Essex, had telephoned a number of times on June 18 and the following day to tell her and her husband that he had received two text messages from Danielle.

The prosecution claims Campbell was sexually fixated with his niece and that she had grown tired of his advances. The trial resumes on Monday.